Removal of dental services to medical card patients is a serious worry, Kildare Senator says

The removal of dental services to medical card patients is a serious worry.

That's according to Labour Party Senator Mark Wall, who called on the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to further intervene in the continuing withdrawal of dental services to medical card patients in County Kildare.

Senator Wall said that he had received a lot of calls from worried patients who have been told by their dental practices that they are withdrawing services in the New Year for Medical Card holders.

The Athy politician said in a statement: "I recently asked my colleague and Labour Party health spokesperson, Deputy Duncan Smith to raise this with the Minister (for Health) and I welcome the fact that the Minister has acknowledged that there is a problem and has stated to work with the HSE on this important matter.

"In his reply, the Minister stated that work has begun on this review and officials in my Department are engaging with stakeholders.

"I expect significant further progress to be made in 2023 and have made an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to support this work and enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year.

He continued: "This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE.  

"On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence.

Labour Senator Mark Wall

"The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare."

Senator Wall also said that in recognition of the issues that have been experienced in some parts of the country in accessing oral healthcare, the €15m award includes €5 million to support the HSE to provide care to some of its patient cohorts in 2023, including adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still struggling to access a local dentist.

"This is intended to protect patient access to oral healthcare services while the transformative reform programme progresses," he added: "These further measures come on top of a package of measures introduced from May 1, 2022 to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors.

"The numbers of patients being seen, the numbers of treatments being provided and the number of claims being submitted under the DTSS have all increased in recent months."

Senator Wall further said that while he welcomes the intervention of the Minister for Health on the matter, while also commending Deputy Smith, and the work of my colleague in highlighting the matter, he stressed that further efforts 'must be made to ensure that there is a service in every community in South Kildare into the New Year for those vulnerable people who may need it urgently.'

"I will continue to raise this with the Minister and upon behalf of all those who contacted me on this important matter," he concluded.

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MINISTER'S RESPONSE

Senator Mark Wall also provided the written response that Minister Donnelly gave to Deputy Smith to the Leader, which can be read below:

"The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over.

"I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019).

"Work has begun on this review and officials in my Department are engaging with stakeholders, and I expect significant further progress to be made in 2023 and have made an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to support this work and enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year.

"This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the DTSS, the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE.  

"On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence."

He also said that the implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte 'will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.'

The Minister continued: "In recognition of the issues that have been experienced in some parts of the country in accessing oral healthcare, the €15m award includes €5 million to support the HSE to provide care to some of its patient cohorts in 2023, including adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still struggling to access a local dentist.

"This is intended to protect patient access to oral healthcare services while the transformative reform programme progresses; these further measures come on top of a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022 to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors."

Minister Donnelly concluded: "The numbers of patients being seen, the numbers of treatments being provided and the number of claims being submitted under the DTSS have all increased in recent months."